The #12 Comets Women's Basketball team faced the #2 Dordt Defenders for the right to advance to the NAIA Quarterfinals. In a closely fought contest throughout, the Defenders used a late run to escape with an 84-76 win.

Dordt hit their first three shots to jump out to an early 10-6 lead and expanded it to a 16-8 lead with six minutes left in the first quarter.

After a timeout, the Comets used the three point line to storm back, as they connected on four triples in a 12-2 run to take the lead at 20-18.

The lead changed hands multiple times, and a Defender three pointer with four seconds remaining gave them a slim 26-25 advantage.

Mackenzie Hughes led the Comets with eight points and Alex Page added six.

After a couple Dordt baskets to open the second quarter, the Comets rallied again as a Hughes trey knotted the score at 30. Mayville State went scoreless for over four minutes which allowed the Defenders to bump the lead back to 40-32.

The Comets used the free throw line to slash the deficit, as they converted 6 of 7 free throws. A Jes Mertens last second three from almost half-court got Mayville State to within three points at 44-41 and a big boost going into halftime.

The Comets used that momentum to burst out of the gates in the third quarter, and ripped off a 6-1 run to reclaim the lead at 47-45.

With the score even at 55 with three minutes to go, Jordan Zrust took over. Zrust scored the last eight Comets points in the quarter to put Mayville State ahead 63-60 with 10 minutes left in the game.

Erin Walcker's three pointer gave the Comets a 66-62 lead two minutes into the fourth. The Defenders then rattled off a 14-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 76-68 advantage.

Dordt was able to maintain that advantage with some clutch free throws and stout defensive plays to hold off any Comets rally, and won the game 84-76.

Hughes led all scorers with 24 points and added six rebounds. Zrust finished with 12 points and pulled down seven boards. Walcker reached double figures with 11 and CJ Decker racked up six assists.

"I thought our kids really competed against maybe the best team in the country, Dordt was ranked #1 for most of the season and it was fun to see them go toe to toe with them at the National Tournament," said head coach Dennis Hutter. "We just could not make enough winning plays down the stretch to hold on to our fourth quarter lead. But no matter what I am proud of this team's effort."
          
The Comets end their season with a 26-4 record, making it the furthest in the National Tournament in Mayville State University Women's Basketball history. 

Comet Athletics sat down with head coach Dennis Hutter on his historic season:

Can you recap the season for us?

"Our team had four goals and they were fortunate to achieve all four of them this past season. Those four goals were: NSAA Championship, NSAA Tournament Champions, National Tournament, and to qualify for Round of 16 in Sioux City. They won 26 games, which is a school record for WBB at Mayville State. I am so proud of this team both on and off the floor for what they have accomplished and it was definitely a successful season for our team."

How do you think your team handled the season?

"I thought our team handled the entire season so well. We always ask them to control two things - their effort and their attitudes. And let everything else take care of itself. This season was a grind, as we played for about three weeks longer than normal, and the players left it all on the floor. I am so proud of this group, for the doling the work that no one else sees.  The hours that these players committed to the team that no one sees, is what helps leads to their on floor success. We say that winning is a by-product of doing things the 'right way' and this team did things the right way. It is a season we ALL will never forget."
 
What was the experience like for you and your players at the National Tournament?

"It was a great experience, and one the players will never forget.  From winning their two games in Salina to their week long experience in Sioux City. The National Tournament is a goal for most teams at the start of the season, it is very rewarding to experience it again this year, it is something that we do not take for granted. It is always fun to play on the 'big stage' in Sioux City."